What makes a society just? Why do vast global inequalities persist? And are wealthy countries merely failing to help the poor—or actively contributing to their poverty?

This episode features Thomas Pogge, the Leitner Professor of Philosophy and International Affairs and Director of the Global Justice Program at Yale University. His work focuses on global justice, poverty, inequality, human rights, and the institutions that shape the global economy.

In this episode, Pogge explores how philosophical ideas about justice translate into the institutions that shape everyday life. Moving from Rawls and Kant to poverty, political power, and climate change, he argues that injustice is often built into the rules themselves—not simply the result of individual choices. The episode ultimately asks what we owe others when the systems we benefit from may also be helping produce their disadvantage.

Dialexicon is a free podcast dedicated to promoting philosophical education and deep reflection. We invite scholars from around the globe to discuss philosophy in the context of contemporary social issues—all at an easy-to-understand and digestible level.

Website: https://dialexicon.orgSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ab9iObuaUb0VDo4R9lLH4YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dialexicon

(0:00) Preview(0:21) Introduction(1:07) Thomas Pogge’s Journey to Political Philosophy(6:45) Kant, Rawls, and What Justice Requires(20:58) Democracy, Political Power, and Economic Inequality(25:27) Patents, Medicine, and Rethinking Innovation(33:47) Global Justice, Resources, and the Global South(46:05) Tax Havens, Multinational Corporations, and Borders(54:47) Climate Change and Our Responsibilities(1:03:05) What Philosophy Is Really For(1:07:10) Closing Remarks

Keywords: global justice, Thomas Pogge, political philosophy, John Rawls, Immanuel Kant, inequality, poverty, global economy, democracy, money in politics, pharmaceutical patents, healthcare, Global South, multinational corporations, tax havens, resource extraction, climate change, human rights, economic justice, philosophy

What exactly does it mean to think? Where are memories stored? And can studying the brain really tell us how the mind works?

This episode features Caitlin Mace, a graduate student at the University of Pittsburgh whose research focuses on the philosophy of neuroscience. She previously earned her master’s degree in philosophy from California State University, Long Beach.

In this episode, Mace explores the relationship between philosophy and neuroscience, asking what scientists can—and cannot—learn by breaking the brain into its component parts. She discusses reductionism, mental representation, optogenetics, and the challenge of determining where memories are physically stored. She also examines false memories, the surprising ways our recollections change over time, and whether memory might extend beyond the brain itself.

Dialexicon is a free podcast dedicated to promoting philosophical education and deep reflection. We invite scholars from around the globe to discuss philosophy in the context of contemporary social issues—all at an easy-to-understand and digestible level.

Website: https://dialexicon.org
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ab9iObuaUb0VDo4R9lLH4
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dialexicon

Chapters
(0:00) Introduction
(0:58) Caitlin Mace’s Journey from Psychology to Philosophy
(2:39) Where Philosophy and Science Meet
(4:22) What Is the Philosophy of Neuroscience?
(6:39) Can Philosophy Change How Neuroscience Is Done?
(8:29) How Do We Divide the Brain Into Functional Parts?
(10:36) What Does It Mean for the Brain to “Represent” Something?
(13:45) Using Optogenetics to Study the Brain
(16:43) Reductionism: Can the Mind Be Reduced to the Brain?
(19:59) Could Memory Exist Outside the Brain?
(23:27) False Memories and the Reliability of Recollection
(27:59) Tracking Personal False Memories Through Movies
(32:53) What Neuroscience Says About Misremembering
(35:13) The Content Indeterminacy Problem
(40:37) Where Is Information Actually Stored in the Brain?
(44:21) Applying the Indeterminacy Problem to AI
(45:51) Does AI Really Represent or Think?
(49:49) AI Ethics, Companionship, and Education
(52:29) Advice for Young People Interested in Philosophy
(55:08) Closing Remarks

Keywords: philosophy of neuroscience, neuroscience, philosophy of mind, memory, false memory, consciousness, reductionism, mental representation, optogenetics, cognitive science, artificial intelligence, AI consciousness, philosophy of AI, brain, cognition

How can democracy give citizens a more meaningful voice? Can thoughtful conversation reduce political polarization? And could AI help democratic participation scale?

This episode features Dr. Alice Siu, Associate Director of the Deliberative Democracy Lab and Senior Research Scholar at Stanford University’s Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law.

In this episode, Dr. Siu discusses the meaning and aspirations of democracy, the global decline of public trust, and the importance of deliberation as an alternative to adversarial debate. She explains how deliberative polling brings representative groups of citizens together to examine evidence, weigh competing values, question experts, and reconsider their views.

Dialexicon is a free podcast dedicated to promoting philosophical education and deep reflection. We invite scholars from around the globe to discuss philosophy in the context of contemporary social issues—all at an easy-to-understand and digestible level.

Website: https://dialexicon.org

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ab9iObuaUb0VDo4R9lLH4

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dialexicon

Chapters

(0:00) Introduction

(0:45) Dr. Alice Siu’s Path to Deliberative Democracy

(3:27) Public Deliberation in Local Government in China

(5:27) What Is Democracy?

(8:36) The Current State of American Democracy

(11:03) Representation, the Electoral College, and Democratic Reform

(14:50) Is Democracy in Crisis Around the World?

(19:36) Declining Trust in Governments and Institutions

(21:12) Deliberation Versus Debate

(22:19) Does Deliberation Need a Final Outcome?

(23:33) How Deliberative Polling Works

(25:42) Can Deliberation Reduce Political Polarization?

(29:25) Applying Deliberation Beyond Politics

(30:59) How Deliberation Works Across Cultures

(33:19) Using AI to Scale Democratic Participation

(37:00) The Future and Limits of Civic Technology

(38:25) Advice for Young People in Democracy

(41:43) Closing Remarks

Keywords: democracy, deliberation, public opinion, AI in democracy, political reform, global democracy, civic engagement, Stanford, deliberative polling, philosophy

How does AI transform medicine? What risks and benefits does AI replacing human judgment pose? How can technological progress preserve agency?

This episode features Dr. Leslye Dias Duran, a research fellow at the Institute for Ethics in AI at the University of Oxford and a philosopher specializing in bioethics and normative ethics.

In this episode, Dr. Dias Duran discusses the ethical implications of integrating artificial intelligence into healthcare. She explores how AI may reshape medical judgment, patient–physician relationships, professional expertise, and the distribution of risks and benefits. She also examines the possibility of AI-induced de-skilling in medicine, the importance of involving affected communities in technological design, and her current research on children’s agency in the age of AI.

Dialexicon is a free podcast dedicated to promoting philosophical education and deep reflection. We invite philosophers from around the globe to discuss philosophy in the context of contemporary social issues—all at an easy-to-understand and digestible level.

Website: https://dialexicon.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dialexicon

(00:00) Introduction to Philosophy and Academia

(03:14) Philosophy’s Role in Social Issues

(05:54) Understanding Philosophy’s Goals

(09:06) Medical Ethics and AI

(11:46) The Intersection of AI and Healthcare

(15:07) Ethical Implications of AI in Medicine

(18:06) Navigating Ethical Risks in AI

(20:59) The Evolution of Medical Ethics with AI

(23:55) De-skilling in Medicine Due to AI

(27:03) Patient–Physician Relationships and Trust

(29:55) Future Directions in AI Ethics

(36:04) Ethical and Technical Questions in AI Implementation

(42:43) Evaluating AI Tools, Risks, and Benefits

(50:00) De-skilling and the Future of Medical Expertise

(01:01:53) Optimism About Medicine and AI

(01:05:28) Children’s Agency in the Age of AI

Keywords: AI ethics, medical ethics, bioethics, artificial intelligence, healthcare, de-skilling, medical judgment, patient autonomy, physician trust, AI regulation, children’s agency, philosophy

What does it mean for algorithms to be fair or transparent? How does bias arise? How should public policy organize the regulation of AI?
Our sixth episode features Dr. Justin Shin, a postdoctoral Embedded Ethics fellow at Stanford University in partnership with the Institute for Human-Centered AI, as well as the McCoy Family Center for Ethics and Society at Stanford University.

In this episode, Dr. Shin discusses his work on agent causal fairness, highlighting the interdisciplinary nuance and complexity of deciding what is fair. He shares insights from his academic work and thoughts on public policy regarding regulating AI.

Dialexicon is a free podcast dedicated to promoting philosophical education and deep reflection. We invite philosophers from around the globe to discuss philosophy in the context of contemporary injustices—all at an easy-to-understand and digestible level.

Website: https://dialexicon.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dialexicon

(00:00) Introduction to the Dialexicon Podcast and Guest

(01:09) Understanding Agent Causal Fairness

(05:00) Criteria for Fairness in Decision Making

(08:59) Overview of Dr. Shin’s Dissertation

(18:49) Exploring Discrimination and Its Legal Implications

(29:52) The Paradox of Punishment and Robots

(30:36) Exploring Punishment Beyond Suffering

(37:10) War Crimes and the Role of Robots

(43:22) AI Development and Public Policy

(50:15) The Role of Government in AI Regulation

(53:17) Philosophy Education and Its Importance
Keywords: AI ethics, algorithmic fairness, discrimination, punishment theory, public policy, philosophy education, transparency, AI regulation

How can philosophy address both high-level and concrete questions? What is the nature of human capacities and personhood? How is modern medicine dehumanizing? What is the role of philosophy in educating the next generation of medical professionals?

Our fifth episode features Professor Aleksy Tarasenko-Struc, an assistant professor of philosophy at Seton Hall University, with a secondary appointment in the School of Health and Medical Sciences. He also directs SHU's Medical Humanities Program.

In this episode, Professor Tarasenko-Struc and Rohan explore the philosophical foundations of dehumanization, its implications in medical ethics, and advice for young people interested in bioethics and philosophy. Professor Teresenko Struck shares his journey, insights on human nature, and the importance of ethics in medical practice.

Dialexicon is a free podcast dedicated to promoting philosophical education and deep reflection. We invite philosophers from around the globe to discuss philosophy in the context of contemporary injustices—all at an easy-to-understand and digestible level.Website: https://dialexicon.orgSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ab9iObuaUb0VDo4R9lLH4(00:00) Introduction to Philosophy and Personal Journey(05:27) Understanding Dehumanization(12:02) Defining Humanity and Personhood(18:17) Dehumanization in Medicine(24:54) Paternalism in Medical Ethics(28:23) The Ethics of Forced Treatment(31:33) Decisional Capacity and Autonomy(34:08) Understanding Decisional Capacity Criteria(42:17) Experiences in Clinical Ethics Consultation(45:33) Teaching Medical Ethics(49:48) Advice for Young Philosophers

Keywords: philosophy, dehumanization, bioethics, medical ethics, human nature, ethics education, paternalism, decision-making capacity

What does it actually mean for technology to be ethical or safe? How do algorithms shape what we know, what we want, and how we understand ourselves? How can AI empower its users?

Our fourth episode features Dr. Jennifer Chien, a postdoctoral Embedded Ethics fellow at Stanford University in partnership with the Institute for Human-Centered AI and the Computer Science Department. In this episode, Rohan and Dr. Chien discuss AI ethics and user agency, exploring limitations and the future of AI development. They also explore Stanford’s Embedded Ethics program, showing how philosophical reflection can help computer scientists recognize the implications of technical choices.

Dialexicon is a free podcast dedicated to promoting philosophical education and deep reflection. We invite philosophers from around the globe to discuss philosophy in the context of contemporary injustices—all at an easy-to-understand and digestible level.

Website: https://dialexicon.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dialexicon

(00:00) Introduction

(00:50) Dr. Chien’s Path into AI Ethics

(03:37) From Technical Systems to Human Systems

(07:15) Why Ethics Belongs Inside Computer Science

(08:51) What Makes Technology Ethical or Safe?

(13:20) User Agency, Recourse, and System Design

(18:05) How Technology Shapes What a User

(23:29) Language, Culture, and the Limits of Universal Systems

(25:21) AI, Learning, Creativity, and Critical Thinking

(30:11) Empowerment, Dependence, and Human Capability

(35:04) Is AI Truly Unprecedented?

(40:00) Stanford’s Embedded Ethics Program

(48:40) Teaching Ethical Thinking Across the CS Curriculum

(55:30) How Students Respond to Ethics in Computer Science

(01:03:34) Advice for Young People Growing Up with AI

(01:10:51) Accountability, Transparency, and the Future of Trust

(01:12:29) Closing Reflections and Outro

What makes a society just? What are the different approaches to reaching a just society? When may public welfare override individual rights? And is the private industry a free market or a form of private governance?

Our third episode features Dr. Chetan Chetty, a political and moral philosopher and assistant professor at Lafayette College. In this episode, Rohan and Dr. Chetty explore the purpose of philosophy, John Rawls’s theory of justice, the relationship between ideal and non-ideal theory, and the conflict between individual rights and social welfare. They apply these questions to gun regulation and self-defense before examining power in the workplace, the limits of voluntary employment, and the increasingly uncertain boundary between public and private life.

Dialexicon is a free podcast dedicated to promoting philosophical education and deep reflection. We invite philosophers from around the globe to discuss philosophy in the context of contemporary injustices—all at an easy-to-understand and digestible level.

Website: https://dialexicon.org

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dialexicon

(00:00) Introduction

(00:36) Dr. Chetty’s Background: India, Singapore, and Philosophy

(03:26) Discovering Political Philosophy

(04:25) Reason, Logic, and the Analytic Tradition

(06:43) Kant, Hume, and Rawls

(07:37) What Is Philosophy?

(10:15) Can Philosophy Answer Life’s Biggest Questions?

(12:26) Philosophy as Training in Critical Reasoning

(14:11) Which Philosophical Questions Matter Most?

(16:32) Epistemology in an Age of Social Media and AI

(18:22) What Does a Just Society Look Like?

(20:38) Rawls, the Veil of Ignorance, and Ideal Theory

(22:19) What Is Non-Ideal Theory?

(25:15) Does Ideal Theory Help Us Confront Injustice?

(27:05) Why Justice Requires an Ideal Standard

(29:45) Gun Regulation as a Problem of Non-Ideal Theory

(30:57) Self-Defense and the Right to Bear Arms

(33:22) Would Guns Exist in a Perfectly Just Society?

(35:08) When Empirical Evidence Can Override Rights

(37:19) How Should We Weigh Rights Against Social Costs?

(40:02) Freedom, Regulation, and Everyday Restrictions

(42:03) When Individual Rights Outweigh Public Benefits

(44:15) What Is “Private Government”?

(46:09) The Paradox of Public and Private Power

(48:49) At-Will Employment and Employer Control

(51:00) Why Workers and Employers Do Not Have Equal Power

(54:38) Can We Draw a Line Between Public and Private Life?

(58:06) Advice for Young People Interested in Philosophy

(61:26) Where to Begin: Russell, Plato, Descartes, and Hume

(63:57) Closing Reflections and Outro

What does true friendship look like? Is individual ambition making us more isolated? What role can religion and philosophy play in giving life meaning? How can we preserve human agency and connection in the age of AI?

Our second episode features Dr. Samuel Kimbriel, a political philosopher, author, and founding director of Aspen’s Philosophy & Society Initiative. In this episode, Rohan and Dr. Kimbriel discuss friendship, loneliness, religion, and artificial intelligence, exploring how philosophy can help young people think more deeply about meaning, community, and what it means to be human in a rapidly changing world.

If you’d like to learn more about Samuel Kimbriel, please visit his Substack: https://substack.com/@samuelkimbriel.

Dialexicon is a free podcast dedicated to promoting philosophical education and deep reflection. We invite philosophers from around the globe to discuss philosophy in the context of contemporary injustices—all at an easy-to-understand and digestible level.

Website: https://dialexicon.org

YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@dialexicon

(00:00) Introduction

(01:09) Dr. Kimbriel’s Background: Nature, Reading, and Philosophy

(03:21) From Academic Philosophy to Public Philosophy

(05:03) Loneliness as a Philosophical Problem

(08:28) Why Friendship Matters in Philosophy(10:42) Plato, Aristotle, and the Desire for Connection

(14:37) Individuality, Hobbes, and the Disharmony Tradition

(19:49) Is Modern Loneliness New?

(22:36) Religion, Ritual, and Older Social Structures

(25:32) When Friendship Becomes a Luxury Good

(27:47) Indian Family Culture vs. American Individualism

(31:12) Professional Ambition and Instrumental Friendships

(34:32) Building Counter-Habits: Friendship, Nature, and Reading

(37:58) Europe, Family, and Alternative Ways of Life

(40:13) Religion, Secularization, and the Search for Meaning

(46:43) Technology, AI, and New Forms of Isolation

(48:54) Philosophy’s Role in Public Life and Tech

(53:25) AI, Agency, De-Skilling, and Political Power

(56:50) Can AI Support Human Connection?

(59:04) Advice for Young People in an Age of Fear

(01:01:23) Why Schools Need Philosophy

(01:03:40) Music, Meaning, and Harmony

(01:05:01) Closing Reflections and Outro

Welcome to SEASON 2 of the Dialexicon Podcast!How do we know if our experiences are real or not? Is consciousness intrinsic? What can mystical experiences reveal? How can we embrace epistemic humility?Our first episode features Dr. Deepak Sarma, a professor in the Department of Religious Studies at Case Western Reserve University. In this episode, Rohan and Professor Sarma explore the evolution and treatment of Indian philosophy, its applications in the fields of consciousness and perception, and the concept of play.If you’d like to learn more about Deepak Sarma and their work, please visit their personal website: http://www.deepak-sarma.squarespace.com/.Dialexicon is a free podcast dedicated to promoting philosophical education and deep reflection. We invite philosophers from around the globe to discuss philosophy in the context of contemporary injustices—all at an easy-to-understand and digestible level.Website: https://dialexicon.orgYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dialexicon

(0:00): Introduction and Dr. Sarma’s Background

(1:00): From STEM to Philosophy

(4:20): Discovering Indian Philosophy and Vedanta

(8:55): Risk, Passion, and Expectations in Indian-American Culture

(14:10): What Philosophy Really Means

(16:30): Indian Philosophy vs. Western Philosophy

(23:00): Contemporary Indian Philosophy and Colonial Influence

(30:25): Yoga, Spirituality, and Western Appropriation

(35:35): Questioning Reality and Cultural Construction

(39:45): Consciousness, the Self, and Indian Thought

(47:20): Psychedelics and Mystical Experience

(52:40): Music, Play, and Liberal Arts Education

(59:40): Philosophy, Youth, and Epistemic Humility

(1:04:00): Modern Society, Certainty, and Misinformation

(1:07:00): Closing Reflections and Outro